(a) uses threatening [or abusive] words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour, or
(b) displays any writing, sign or other visible representation which is threatening [or abusive],within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress thereby."
There was a clarification done more recently that helps explain. The Wikipedia page explains it.
Basically: just casually swearing? No. Cursing out a person in their face, causing severe anguish and/or a public disturbance? To the point where it might be described by bystanders as verbal assault? Yeah, that’s illegal.
“Where’s the law saying that I can’t shamble around in a graveyard and say ‘Oooooo!!’ at people?? Go ahead and show me! I’ll wait!”
Legal Code of England and Wales:
Public Order Act 1986. Section 5(1) provides:
"(1) A person is guilty of an offence if he/she:
(a) uses threatening [or abusive] words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour, or
(b) displays any writing, sign or other visible representation which is threatening [or abusive],within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress thereby."
OOOOOOOO!!!
I feel assaulted. To
jailcivil court with you!You can’t take a ghost to
jailcivil court!Wait, does (a) mean they can simply arrest you for swearing!? Who decides if what you did was ‘disorderly’? This sounds dangerously vague
There was a clarification done more recently that helps explain. The Wikipedia page explains it.
Basically: just casually swearing? No. Cursing out a person in their face, causing severe anguish and/or a public disturbance? To the point where it might be described by bystanders as verbal assault? Yeah, that’s illegal.
Wtf.
I feel super harassed by the existence of England. It must be removed.